Archive for the ‘Leaders’ Category

While some fear that the United States is becoming more divided and politics more divisive, in one day, 100 women were sworn in as members of Congress, as part of the most diverse group of legislators in history. On the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, Nancy Pelosi also regained her position […]

In Paris, San Francisco, London, Dubai, Stockholm, NYC and LA, thousands of Persian, Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) women in tech are building momentum together, by supporting each other, and mentoring generations of girls who will become world leaders in entrepreneurship, scholarship, science and digital innovation. The work of the non-profit Persian Women in Tech […]

As my next birth year begins today on September 11, I feel healthier, happier and more confident than ever. I believe that we all can achieve equilibrium when we embrace the fullness of our physical, emotional and spiritual lives. Like every individual, I have had my fair share of challenges, and like every family, my […]

On October 30th, the company I have contributed to for several years (GENBAND) merged with another company (Sonus), to form a combined global communications brand we named Ribbon Communications. And this week, I was proud to represent the newly combined companies on a panel regarding the importance of diversity in the workplace, and the opportunity for […]

Dancing Over the Bridge: Supporting the Great Work of the Los Angeles Beirut Sister Cities Committee I am so excited to be dancing with seven other Angelenos on November 4th at the Dancing in the City of Stars event, benefiting the programs of the Los Angeles Beirut Sister Cities Committee (LABSC.) A challenge that has […]

With Fourth of July, Independence Day (United States) just around the corner, I can’t help but think about our nation’s visionary founders, and the many great leaders who have followed in their footsteps, dedicated to not only preserving but also improving upon the vision set forth by our founders. As a former refugee and immigrant […]

Nurses come into our lives and families at the most important and tender times. What would we do without them? Today, around the world, we are celebrating International Nurses Day, on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, and today in New York City, at the United Nations, our friend and inspiration, Deb O’Hara Ruscowski, a RN, […]

As a citizen of the world, I consider many countries my home! As a naturalized American citizen, forced to flee Iran as a young girl, and a grateful refugee who found support in Germany, then the U.S.; I am also often in Canada, where beloved members of my family live. While I am deeply […]

What Happened on September 11 Has Inspired Millions to Never Give Up or Lose Hope, Even Under the Most Difficult Circumstances I was born on September 11 and feel honored each year to have the opportunity to look back on what happened on that day in 2001, not because of what the terrorists destroyed, but because […]

On this Fathers’ Day, as we are all still trying to process the most recent tragedy in Orlando, I’m honored to share the story of a remarkable man. Iran Nazario continues to dedicate his life to eliminating gang warfare in Hartford, Connecticut while sharing his own life story, his strength and his philosophy to contribute […]

After emerging as a movement in the last decade, Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programs are starting to graduate children who have evolved into impressive young adults – and our future will be in their very capable hands and hearts.Photo: WindwardSchool.org On Friday, the Windward School’s Class of 2016 graduated, moving forward as responsible, well informed and inspired […]

It’s a good, busy day today, reflecting on and sharing my thoughts and love with so many amazing social entrepreneurs who are benefiting from the great work the team at Giving Tuesday has been doing over the last few years to bring awareness to the joy that comes from giving. I’ve never been a fan […]

It is no secret that I am keenly interested in innovation across a variety of fields. Innovation is the result of passion, determination, and a great deal of hard work. At its best, innovation – whether in the field of technology, economics, or social justice – leads to the betterment of lives. When I think […]

Pari Forood is the first generation Iranian-American author of the true-life novel, The Gates of Light, published in May 2015. After graduating from Vassar College, she was the Press Secretary to Congressman Hamilton Fish, Jr. in Washington, D.C. where she was inspired to write her book about the issue of immigration, both as a policy […]

In my continued series on individuals who inspire me and are giving back to the community, I would like to feature author, social media genius, NPR Producer, mother of four and 2014 Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient; someone I also get to call my friend, Iran Davar Ardalan. This extraordinary woman has grown-up with […]

Dr. Cori Lathan is one of the most interesting women scientists and entrepreneurs I’ve come across, and it is an honor to share her story as part of my ongoing series of profiles of inspiring people making a big difference. I was introduced to Dr. Lathan through a colleague at my company (GENBAND), when one […]

I’m in Barcelona today, and was unable to attend The J. Luce Foundation’s annual gratitude event that was held last Thursday, February 26th. I was recently introduced to Jim Luce, founder of the Foundation, last fall by a mutual friend, and spent time with him where he is based in New York City. Jim came […]

I’ve been following Box for a while now, as part of my marketing role at GENBAND. We also deliver collaboration tools to large enterprises (different from Box – we focus on real time communications between human beings using voice, video and messaging). But the idea is the same – how can we give people in […]

2014 has been a year of tremendous change, challenge and collective progress across many dimensions in my life, and today I am especially full of gratitude for a growing circle of friends and colleagues. As part of my professional journey and choice to re-enter the “corporate” world and as part of my life’s plan to […]

Today I am happy and honored to share a story about two women who reached across continents and two very different worlds to bring one vision to light. Kwamboka Okari shelters, feeds, clothes, educates, and advocates for 230 orphans in Kisii, Kenya. Peg Campbell heads up the U.S. team on the Board of Directors for […]

In my ongoing series profiling leaders I admire, I am delighted to show more than I am telling in this post – sharing the beautiful, visual design Lauren Towle has been contributing to non-profits since she graduated from college. I met Lauren through a dear friend nearly ten years ago, and was so impressed with […]

Bita Daryabari is a woman I have admired for many years, both in my vocation (in the communications industry), as well as avocation (in supporting the advancement of Persian arts and culture). Her work speaks louder than her words, though she is a woman of letters, and in 2008 created the Bita Daryabari Endowment in […]

The last two weeks have been incredibly busy, exhausting and inspiring! Thanks for following me half way around the world and back, where in NYC last night, our Summer of Service interns had the honor of meeting the LIG Global Foundation team at the warm and beautiful Gabriel’s restaurant near Lincoln Center. The room was beautiful, […]

This week I am posting from Istanbul, as part of a business trip to the UK and Europe, and am thrilled to introduce you to one of our “Summer of Service 2014” interns, Begum Kuralkan. This is the second year of Begum’s internship, having spent a good part of last summer in New York meeting […]

Earlier this month, on a business trip to NYC, I met Camelia Entekhabi-Fard for the first time, or so I thought. We had been introduced by a mutual friend, who met Camelia in Kabul, Afghanistan years ago, and stayed connected on Facebook, following each other’s unusual lives quietly without ever having met personally. Or so […]

Last week in New York, I had the great pleasure to meet Judy Shapiro, otherwise known as “Judy Consumer,” and currently founder and CEO of engageSimply. Within minutes, I felt her great energy, and found myself fascinated with her vision for “Engagement Networks” which she is building many of on – or should I say […]

Sometimes the most inspiring people in the world are sitting right in front of you – and part of your closest family. In this post, continuing this series on inspiring people blessing the planet, I am honored to profile Neda Moeini, co-founder & past president of Group of Gold Line, who helped build the business with […]

The next visionary leader I would like to spotlight in my series on Companies, Cultures, and Leaders I Admire is Dr. Phillip Olla, CEO and co-founder of Mobile Diagnostic Services. Throughout his career, Olla has held roles in various sectors, including telecommunications, space, finance, and healthcare, but what truly stands out to me is his […]

Last Friday, I was honored to take part in one of hundreds of volunteer events that occurred around the world as part of my company’s annual “Global Day of Service.” Thousands of employees worked full “eight hour days” and more, helping organizations and people in their local communities. While the GENBAND team volunteers year round, […]

I am full of gratitude today because I have had the honor to transition recently from one dream job to another. For those of you who know me for years, or for my entire life, you know how much leaving the communications industry to help build Farhang Foundation meant to me, personally, professionally and spiritually. […]

As our series profiling visionary leaders who are mashing up business and giving around the world continues, I am honored to feature Chid Liberty, and his Liberty & Justice sustainable .com / .org model. In his twenties, Chid, who is now 34, returned to his home country of Liberia in 2009 to cofound the country’s […]

While I have never met Hassina Sherjan, I feel I know her as a sister through a friend of mine who met her in Kabul, Afghanistan a few years ago. I am honored to share her story with you as the second in a series on people who don’t only wish for change, but are […]

Updated 07/28/15 I’m grateful to so many of you who have shared your enthusiasm for my new blog, and woke up inspired today to start a new series of posts on people, teams and companies who inspire me. I’m starting with Fasha Mahjoor, one of the leaders I admire most, founder and CEO of Phenomenex. […]

About Bita

Bita Milanian serves as the Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at Ribbon & its Kandy.io division, a global technology company with more than two decades of leadership in real-time communications for service providers, enterprises, independent software vendors, systems integrators and read more

Vision

I have witnessed the power of progress leveraging information communications technologies, and believe that when stories can be shared more easily and openly, and people can connect with each other more intuitively and affordably, we can tackle even the toughest challenges.

Mission

In this blog, I will profile individuals and teams who are inventing awesome new ways to communicate – whether through new applications, devices, communities and whole systems.